When West Brom sacked Ryan Mason in January, the West Midlands outfit would have hoped for a period of stability between then and the end of this season. What they did not plan for was their situation in the Championship getting even worse.
Mason shown The Hawthorns exit door on January 6th, Eric Ramsay taking the baton just five days later and with four months left of the season remaining, this was anticipated to be the perfect bedding in period for the following campaign.
Fast forward less than two months later and the Baggies are searching for another new manager. Not only do they have to dust off CVs once again but their plight is far worse than when Ramsay took the managerial reins.
Bad to worse
The former Manchester United coach taking over when West Brom were placed 18th in the Championship table and perhaps more importantly, seven points clear of the relegation zone – the threat of playing in League One in just a few months not overwhelming at this stage.
That threat has grown by the week and the reason for doing so, is that West Brom failed to win any of the nine league games that were under Ramsey’s tenure. His appointment from Minnesota United considered nothing less than a busted flush.
Especially by the time West Brom failed to get the better of Charlton on Tuesday night. A 1-1 draw drawing the ire of the home support at The Hawthorns and although it reduced the gap to Blackburn in 21st to three points, that point was not enough to keep the 38-year-old Ramsay in employment.
Another stateside appointment
Just like a fellow previous MLS boss in Wilfried Nancy, West Brom like Celtic have concluded that their gamble of an appointment has not worked. Just enough time for them to course correct in a bid to keep the club in the second tier of English football.
A correction that will once again place James Morrison back in charge on an interim basis for the second time this season. The former West Brom midfielder overseeing a single encounter in the five-day window between two permanent appointments – an FA Cup win over Swansea on penalties.
Stick or twist
Whether the former Scotland international is given the job on a longer-term basis remains to be seen but with West Brom already having their fingers burnt twice this season when it comes to their hiring policy, an in-house pair of hands might be the safest route to take for now.
Morrison’s longer-term installation would be a popular move within the fanbase considering the time he spent at the club as a player but it does come with an element of risk – risk that comes in a lack of managerial experience.
If it’s not to be the man who represented the Tartan Army 46 times in his international career, Russell Martin and Slaven Bilic have also been touted as replacements for Eric Ramsay. Both more than capable but both also likely to wait and see what league West Brom find themselves in next season.
